Subj: Atari Portfolio as a Field Computer 

I shall preface my remarks by saying that I am extremely pleased 
with my Portfolio. I have gotten used to the little thing would be 
quite inconvenienced without it. 

What improvements would I like to see?

Waterproofing, for forestry and other outdoor professional and 
recreational users. 

Since I began using computers 6 or 7 years ago my hand writing has 
deteriorated. Furthermore I loath copying statistical data from 
field tally cards. I have improved the accuracy of my data 
collection by using the Portfolio in the woods. However when it 
rains its back to "water proof paper."  Typically I collect tree 
size, log grade, stocking and reforestation data as well as sundry 
notes all on the same sample plots, These go straight into very 
slender columns in Portfolio's Work Sheet and from there to either 
Quatro or Paradox for processing back at the office. For me 
omissions tend to stand out better in spread sheet form. And it is 
far better to catch things while still on the scene. 

I'm not talking about a computer for skin divers. For years 
Northwest rain forest foresters have been using shirt pocket 
calculators in sealable plastic bags which perfectly well allow 
for data entry and instant reading. These may hold up for days on 
end in the worst weather but can be readily replaced as soon as 
small leaks occur and droplets of moisture begin appearing on the 
inside. (The grocery store variety are not tough enough, try for 
example Handy-Loc, The Angler's Group Ltd., Flushing, NY 11558 
available at stationary stores.) 

If the hinge connecting the screen to the Port computer/keyboard 
were raised about 0.1" inch in the closed position there would be 
ample room for the folding of a water proof plastic bag cover. 
Then I would simply cut off the two superfluous lock close hooks 
and there you have it: a bush or beach ready computer. 

Here I wish to announce a technological first: the "Belly Front 
Computer." I have equipped a plastic children's school box 
(2"*6"*9", $2.75) with a sling over my neck and shoulder the top 
of which is rigged to open to 90 degrees in which position it 
becomes a "fairly mobile computing platform!" and handier for 
entering data in the standing position. 

I anticipate a certain amount of work in third world countries 
where I hope to employ E Mail from phone booths in rural towns. I 
preferr this to hard to hear telephoning across diverse time zones 
etc. in order to stay in better touch with my family and business. 
I think a slightly larger Port with no interfaces to have to carry 
around would have been desireable. 

A slightly larger screen would be nice but readability is much 
more important when working under poor light conditions. Like 
everyone else I'm looking forward to 512 K cards. 

So far for my purposes I haven't needed a more powerful field 
computer and would be less inclined to make the same use of a more 
expensive machine. I seem to be able to figure out ways to do 
practically everything that needs doing in the woods on the Port. 
If I blundered into a tree and broke it I would be out $299 but 
would probably still have my data on a card. 

I wish to congratulate both Atari and DIP Ltd. on this extremely 
useful little machine and hope that this letter my suggest new 
areas where the use of Ports and other palm tops may be promoted.                                                       

Very truly yours

George Pope